The David O. Russell film seized the spotlight on Tuesday, while Naomie Harris confirmed her role in the next James Bond film.

CAPRI, Italy -- David O. Russell's American Hustle was the in-cinema centerpiece of the Capri, Hollywood Film Festival screening on Tuesday, ahead of a New Year's celebratory gala that will feature many of the stars honored by the 18-year-old event so far.

Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom stars Naomie Harris and Idris Elba, actor and Capri, Hollywood lifetime achievement honoree Scott Cooper, Monty Python'sTerry Gilliam, and actress and director Valeria Golino are all expected to be on hand.

Russell will not be on the island. He was unable attend because of a scheduling conflict, but the festival honored him earlier in December in Rome.

Earlier in the day, Harris spoke with local press about her role in Mandela as Winnie, the South African leader's wife. She said she and Elba met only during rehearsals, and she credited their on-screen chemistry to the work of Justin Chadwick, the film's director.

"We're only on the screen together for ten minutes, but the chemistry still shows even in our own scenes," said Harris. "It was a good casting decision, and also good work from Chadwick, the director, to bring that to life."

Harris will have a chance to show her on-screen chemistry in a different context in 2014: she said she is confirmed to appear in the next James Bond film, Bond 24.

The Capri festival got underway Dec. 26 and will run through Thursday. The event always spans through to the New Year, making it the last festival of each year and the first of the following year. It will announce its film of the year -- usually a harbinger of good things to come for a film as the Oscars approach -- on Wednesday.